Heart Failure

“Heart failure is a condition where your heart can’t pump blood around your body as well as it should. It doesn’t mean your heart has stopped working but…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Heart Failure Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Cardiac Failure
  • Congestive Heart Failure
  • Heart Failure
  • Left Sided Heart Failure
  • Right Sided Heart Failure

Terminology

Can the term heart failure (HF) be misleading?

In What Is Heart Failure? You Don’t Have To Face It Alone the American Heart Association (AHA) explain:

“The term heart failure sounds like the heart is no longer working at all. Actually, heart failure, sometimes called HF, means that the heart isn’t pumping as well as it should. Congestive heart failure is a type of heart failure that requires timely medical attention, although sometimes the two terms are used interchangeably”.2

Definition

What is heart failure?

DotS the definition of heart failure may vary. The British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) definition is:

“Heart failure is a condition where your heart can’t pump blood around your body as well as it should. It doesn’t mean your heart has stopped working but you may need support to help it work better”.3

The (United States) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) definition is:

“Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is a condition that develops when your heart doesn’t pump enough blood for your body’s needs. This can happen if your heart can’t fill up with enough blood. It can also happen when your heart is too weak to pump properly. The term “heart failure” does not mean that your heart has stopped. However, heart failure is a serious condition that needs medical care”.4

Cause

What are the most common causes of heart failure?

In Heart Failure: What Causes Heart Failure? the BHF explain:

“There are many reasons why you may develop heart failure. It can happen suddenly or it can progress slowly over months or years. The most common causes of heart failure are:

  • A heart attack…
  • Cardiomyopathy…
  • High blood pressure…”.5

What do other causes of heart failure include?

In Heart Failure: What Causes Heart Failure? the BHF explain:

“Other causes of heart failure include:

  • Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)…
  • Amyloidosis…
  • Anaemia – a lack of oxygen carrying haemoglobin or red blood cells in your blood
  • Congenital heart conditions – heart problems that you’re born with
  • Endocarditis – a viral infection affecting the heart muscle
  • Heart valve disease…
  • Pulmonary hypertension…
  • Some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy
  • Thyroid gland disease…
  • Too much alcohol…”.6

Signs and Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of heart failure?

In Heart Failure: Symptoms the NHLBI explain:

“Symptoms of heart failure depend on the type of heart failure you have and how serious it is. If you have mild heart failure, you may not notice any symptoms except during hard physical work. Symptoms can depend on whether you have left-sided or right-sided heart failure. However, you can have symptoms of both types. Symptoms usually get worse as your heart grows weaker.

Heart failure can lead to serious and life-threatening complications”.7

Health Care Provider

Heart FailureWhat if I think I have heart failure?

If you think you have heart failure, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this as soon as possible.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Heart Failure?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Heart Failure?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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  33. Obesity Significantly Increased Heart Failure Risk Among Women With Late Menopause
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  43. World Heart Day 29 September

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Heart Failure. Page Last Updated: August 2022. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/heart-failure Accessed: 27 October 2023
  2. What Is Heart Failure? You Don’t Have To Face It Alone. Last Reviewed: 22 March 2023. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/what-is-heart-failure#.WrrJlzoh2po Accessed: 27 October 2023
  3. Heart Failure. Page Last Updated: August 2022. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/heart-failure Accessed: 27 October 2023
  4. Heart Failure: What Is Heart Failure? Last Updated: 24 March 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-failure Accessed: 27 October 2023
  5. Heart Failure: What Causes Heart Failure? Page Last Updated: August 2022. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/heart-failure Accessed: 27 October 2023
  6. Heart Failure: What Causes Heart Failure? Page Last Updated: August 2022. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/heart-failure Accessed: 27 October 2023
  7. Heart Failure: Symptoms. Last Updated: 24 March 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-failure/symptoms Accessed: 27 October 2023
Topic Last Updated: 27 October 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 27 October 2023

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